WASHINGTON — An unusual byproduct has surfaced amid the rubble of the biggest gridlock the nation's capital has seen in two decades: Members of Congress are actually hanging out together.

Rather than the routine of racing to Reagan National Airport for a flight back to Colorado after Thursday-night votes, members have been marooned in the partially shuttered nation's capital.

Votes and briefing meetings have been scheduled at all hours and at moment's notice on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays — even Monday mornings, when, most of the time, they're still in Colorado.

Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, actually vacuumed his office. He joked he didn't want the word to get out to his wife, who would wonder why he didn't do more of that at home.

He also said he has also crashed a few House dinners with Democrats, including Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.

"On Saturday, we got together both sides of the aisle," Gardner said. "That's been really good. We're trying to do the same thing as we go through the days."

The copious hours of downtime are also a reflection of the current frustrating reality for members: In these moments of dire consequence, it's only the leadership that really counts. Everyone else is pretty much rank and file.

Rep. Jared Polis, a Democrat from Boulder, said he has been giving constituents tours of the Capitol. Since the shutdown, regular tours have been halted, but tourists are able to get around if escorted by a member.

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Polis said he caught a showing of "Gravity" at a Chinatown movie theater and has caught up on his sleep. Also he has Skyped with his family every day.

"What I hope is that if this is used as a tool to reopen government because they (House Republicans) want to go home, that is good," Polis said. "The sooner we can reopen the government, the better."

Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, had a new granddaughter born in Wyoming on Tuesday. He said he has been texting and e-mailing his family and going to church while in Washington.

He said he had a debate with Polis about Obamacare. Polis told Lamborn that he would grow to love the Affordable Care Act. Lamborn said he told him he was planning on not enrolling — even though members of Congress are required to do so.

"I'd rather pay the fine then go onto the website," he said.

Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Jefferson County, lives in a group house and a few weeks ago took his mountain bike on the 30-plus-mile trail to Mount Vernon and back.

Perlmutter said that in some ways the rank and file have an easier time getting along than the much touted fights among leadership.

He recently had dinner with some Republicans and offered that the table may be able to solve the crisis if it was up to them.

Rep. Scott Tipton agreed.

"I think this opportunity to be here for an extended period of time, in some respects, I think it's helped open a few doors for some conversations," said Tipton, a Cortez Republican.